Just one question before you cut me open Doc...

Can you tell me if you are in my plan???
I think that is what my insurance company wanted me to ask DURING my surgery.

Within the past week I have received two bills for my c-section. They aren't astronomical... But they could be considered a mortgage/tax payment.

The bill was for consultation services by an out of network doctor DURING my surgery. I don't even know who this Dr. was - they did introduce someone to me as I was throwing up on the operating table, but I didn't exactly get to shake his hand.

Can someone please tell me at what point I was supposed to shop this one around for an "in network" provider? While I was crying during my contractions, perhaps as they were wheeling me in for an emergency section... Or maybe as they were putting me back together.

Did anyone else get this kind of bill? I had heard about this kind of insurance company nonsense in that movie "Sicko" and not to sound cliche... But I didn't think it would happen to me.

Don't get me wrong - I'm thankful that I have insurance and that I did get excellent care - but I do feel terrible for the people that get these stupid bills who are very sick. At least this was a surgery with a happy outcome for me. So sad for the people who get these bills that are too sick to call and complain about them!!!

Re: Just one question before you cut me open Doc...

It happened to my cousin - on her scheduled c-section! Not sure of the outcome but fight it -- fight the insurance company, make the hospital rebill under an in-network provider, get your doctors officer biller on your side (they know people at the hospital!)

Re: Just one question before you cut me open Doc...

Thanks - I was going to appeal, but I wasn't sure what to say. I guess this guy was there... but I don't know who he is.

When I was literally on the table - they told me someone would be "assisting" - but no one asked me... they told me. And at that point - I wasn't in any shape to ask questions.

ETA - I just feel so terrible for those who aren't up to the fight because they are truly so sick.

Message edited 10/1/2008 10:39:10 PM.

Re: Just one question before you cut me open Doc...

This gets me so annoyed! I would call the office and tell them that in the state you were in, it was not the top question to ask, I would also call the billing dept and tell them the hospital took your insurance/ so did the dr. who was delivering your baby, now what do you do...I would also call the dr's office and explain to them the situation I would also contact your insurance carrier and talk to a supervisor about this. Maybe the dr will take whatever the insurance carrier will pay. I am so sorry, I work in medical billing and have my masters in the medical field, and this annoys me when this happens.
Also document who you spoke to , the time, the office location, etc. Start calling early in the morning to get less of a hold time too. HTH When I saw Sicko, I was on the edge of my seat the whole time, I did my Masters thesis on some of the stuff that was spoken about in the movie.

Re: Just one question before you cut me open Doc...

XP this to Parenting. I know it happned to a lot of the moms. They fought it without a problem.

Re: Just one question before you cut me open Doc...

I had that problem a couple times, call your insurance company and dispute it. At that time, I believe I was told there was some sort of rule that they have to accept it. Both times, it was easliy resolved.

Re: Just one question before you cut me open Doc...

I t happened to a friend of mine. She had an emergency c-section and the anesthesiologist was out of network.

If you need a procedure to be done and the only MD that can do it is out of network or there isn't time to get you an in newtwork Dr. they have to cover it.

You just have to call a bunch and fight it but eventually it will be covered!

I know a real hassle!

Re: Just one question before you cut me open Doc...

You're going to have to spend some time (that you don't really have) fighting it - but you can win that one fairly easily ..........- It's more aggravation than anything else

Re: Just one question before you cut me open Doc...

yes, this is aggravating but it happens all the time. Call your regular doc's office and have them coordinate re-billing it under the ID # with the insurance company.

You didn't choose the out of network doc and you shouldn't have to pay for it. Let your doc handle it.

Re: Just one question before you cut me open Doc...

It happened tom e but not with a c section. I had a breast biopsy yrs ago. I went to NUMEROUS appts before my surgery. First questioned asked is "what insurance do you have" The day of my surgery the anestegiologist comes in knocks me out. FF 3 months later, I get a bill for over $1200 from the hospital for the Dr. Well I lost it. I said after ALL my appt, you mean to tell me you could not find a freaking anestetiologist in my NETWORK!! Well I told her to shove it take me to court. I never heard form them again. I refused to pay it. It is a shifty shady deal that have going on. Total BS!!